By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State government has said it has began the production of 1,000,000 free uniforms for pupils in public primary schools for next term
The move which would also include the production of shoes was made known during the expanded State Executive Council meeting in Uyo yesterday where Governor Umo Eno also signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N849.9bn into law.
A statement by state information commissioner Barr Ini Ememobong also disclosed that the state government paid subvention of N394m to schools for the first term of the 2023/2024 session while payment of Education Trust Fund for Students with Disabilities has been ongoing.
Finance Commissioner Mr Linus Nkan informed the Council that the Bill passed by the House had adjustments that were necessarily introduced during the legislative engagements that the parliament undertook.
The Governor appreciated persons and institutions involved in the budgetary processes for the swift but detailed work that has led to the timely passage of the budget and thereafter granted assent to the bill.
Council ratified that Nigerian Navy through their subsidiary, the Naval Shipyard Limited would be responsible for the building of the Passenger/ Cruise Ferry Boats for the state government with the Chief of Naval Staff to personally attend and undertake the contract-signing event for the boats.
This move according to the statement is intended to revamp a safe and comfortable water transport, in preparation for the full engagement of the State’s blue Economy potentials.
The Council also ratified the award of contract for the reclamation and construction of ravine control facilities at Etim Umanah Street and environs, and Emergency Intervention Works at 2 Gully Erosion sites within Uyo metropolis adding that the Eno administration has spent a total of N24.9 Billion on road construction in the last seven months.
